Instep-arch support.



W. M. SCHOLL.

INSTEP ARCH SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4, 1911.

1,1 36,442, Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

v lm 'e i THE NORRIS PETERS 60 FHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. C. I

WILLIAM M. SCHOLL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INSTEP-ARCH SUPPDRT.

Application filed December 4, 1911. Serial No. 663,779.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, XVILLIAM M. ScHoLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and'State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Instep-Arch Supports, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in instep arch supports and consists in the features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

In the drawing, wherein I have shown an embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the support; Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1; and, Fig. 3 is a perspective view with the leather cover piece curled to show the top of the metallic plate and the bottom of the leather cover piece.

In the drawing 5 indicates a metal plate, preferably of a size to extend from the heel of a human foot forwardly below the instep arch thereof, and having its central portion, which underlies the shank of the foot, arched longitudinally and curved transversely for conformity with the normal arch of the foot. Preferably the plate is provided with a laterally extended portion 6 to lie snugly along the inside of the instep under the region of the scaphoid bone of the foot, and said side extension may, if desired, be provided with slots 7 or otherwise constructed for a greater or less degree of resiliency to promote ease in adjustment and in wear.

Over the metal plate 5 is arranged a cover piece 8, suitably secured to the metal plate as by rivets 99, located near the line of juncture of the body of the plate with the lateral extension 6, said cover piece being suitably skived and shaped to fit neatly within the interior of the shoe, thereby to position the plate against displacement and to present a comfortable surface to receive the foot.

The structure thus far described typifies an improved and generally known design of arch support, wherein the supporting element is an arched metal plate, highest at its side adjacent the inside of the foot, and often provided with the resiliently-tongued side extension. Such arch support plates are liable to become broken down under the strain of use, and while in some instances it 1s advantageous to have the lateral extension 6 slotted or otherwise weakened for res1l1- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, int

ency there is apt to be a too great bending tendency through the waist of the plate where the substantially rigid body of the plate is arched to its greatest elevation to the inside of the longitudinal median line of the plate and nearly centrally thereof.

To reinforce the plate in an area of maximum elevation I form in the plate a depressed bead 10, integral with the plate and extending in a generally longitudinal direcion along that portion of the plate which is to the inside of the median line, the longi tudinal line of the bead being preferably curved from about the median line at its center toward the inside edge of the plate at both its ends where it merges into the plate, and--in a structure slotted as at 7-spanning a greater length than the slotted portion, so that substantially the entire highest arched part of the plate is reinforced by the beading. In order that the reinforce ment may be rendered most effective for maximum strength and that the upper surface of the plate may have its superficial continuity preserved to support the cover piece 8 over the depressed bead, I fill the bead with a body 11 of metal such as a solder, to the level of the body of the plate, thereby adding but little to the weight of the plate, but greatly to its strength and comfort.

It is customary, and advantageous, in the manufacture of these metal plates, to make them of German-silver, although sometimes steel is employed. In either event, the tendency of the plate to break or crack in the waist or shank portion thereof is due more or less to crystallization of the metal under constantly changing strains to which it is subjected in use. It will be observed that the filling of solder, or metal of like nature, inherently more ductile and less brittle than any metal of which the main arch support plate may be made imparts to the structure a quality of resistance against fracture which is very beneficial, the joint use of the metals of different nature in their intimate correlation giving to the device great strength to resist breakage.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

In an instep arch support, the combination with a metallic plate provided with a depressed bead running lengthwise thereof along the portion of the plate which underlies the highest arch portion of the shankof In testimony whereof' I hereunto set my the foot, of a body of metal more ductile hand in the presence of two witnesses. and less brittle than the material of which WILLIAM M; SOHOLL. the plate is made, entirely filling said head In the presence of 5 and substantially flush With the upper sur- MARY F ALLEN,

' face of the plate. 'W. LINN ALLEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6.? 

